Just one year ago, we decided that John would retire
after 32 years as a biology professor at Cedarville University. Careful thought and prayer had helped us to
identify several priorities that led us to say “good-bye” to an era of blessed
opportunity to serve with the best colleagues and students in the world. Our new priorities are as follows:
Partners
– allowing more time for each other while our health is still good
Parents
with health needs;Abby’s mom in Carroll Co. and Mom Silvius in
Tuscarawas Co. We plan to move to Wooster,
Ohio when our Cedarville home sells.
Progeny
--
more time with our son, daughter, their spouses, and grandchildren; and time to
keep in touch with colleagues and students who have become our friends.
Professing
our faith through serving in our local church; working on land restoration
(caring for creation with “earth-keepers” whose souls may not be restored); working
toward an integrated theology of "creationism" as relates to “origins”
and “creation care”
Having set these priorities, we are now learning the
truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Faithful
is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. For example, only 16 days after the beginning
of John’s retirement, or better, redirection, in August, one of our parents, Abby’s mother
Marietta Moser, suffered a stroke that left her unable to use her left
side. Since then, we have been working
as partners committed to assisting Abby’s six sisters in a rotation that
has allowed us to be with "Mom Moser" in her recovery 24/7, first at Mercy Medical
Center in Canton, then at Carroll Health Center in Carrollton, and now at her
home in Kilgore. Though it is challenging,
we count it a privilege to serve “mom” and to encourage her in her faith at
this time of need.
Kiara, Alvadell (Abby), Della, John, and Caleb |
We do not intend to retire from our profession
of faith and practice which we hope will fit in well with our other
priorities. For example, while our redirection
has allowed more time to encourage our progeny, their spouses and the
grandchildren, it has also allowed us to expand our caring ministry to long-time
friends and those in need at our church, Grace Baptist.
East Liberty Street in downtown Wooster |
Thank you for reading this account of our transition
to a new chapter of life under God’s gracious provision. We apologize for not sending cards this year.
To those of you who have sent cards, we
are looking forward to reading them now that we are home again. We hope the message of God’s grace (unearned
favor) and truth this Christmas will encourage you in the midst of uncertain times. Like the Pawpaw tree given to John by his students last spring, which we have kept potted and ready to move, we are waiting to be "transplanted" by the divine Gardener to the location He has for us.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
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